Extensible escape ladder



Dec. 23, O. F. TREFZ EXTENSIBLE ESCAPE LADDER Original Filed DC. 25,1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J II I as 84 as as 94 V as f 86 88 INVENTOR.

92 OTTO F. TREFZ" ATTORN EY Dec; 23, 1969 o. F.1'REFZ 3,485,322

EXTENSIBLE ESCAPE LADDER Original Filed Dec. 23, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. OTTO E TREFZ ATTORNEY.

nited States Patent 3,485,322 EXTENSIBLE ESCAPE LADDER Otto F. Trefz,4422 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19140 Continuation of applicationSer. No. 610,207, Dec. 23, 1966. This application June 3, 1968, Ser. No.733,973 Int. Cl. A62b 1/20; A62c 31/24 US. Cl. 182-189 Claims ABSTRACTOF THE DISCLOSURE A ladder which collapses to occupy a relatively smallspace and which is so constructed that when hurled from a window duringan emergency will automatically extend to permit descent, which ladderis also capable of being adjustably fixed in its extended position whenone desires to use it for purposes of ascent.

This is a continuation of my copending application Ser. No. 610,207,filed Dec. 23, 1966 now abandoned and relates to extensible escapeladders for use in emergencies, such as fires.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a ladder made of pipesections slidable one within the other so that in its collapsed form itapproximates the length of only one section but when hurled through awindow will automatically extend by gravity and serve as a means forsafe descent.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ex tensible ladder ofthe character described including a hook member at its upper end toengage the window sill and hold the ladder in place when it has beenlowered, a pedestal member at the lower end of the ladder to engage theground and a cross-member to serve as a hold by which to initiatedescent.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extensible ladder ofthe character described in which the lower end of each pipe sectionincludes an externally threaded collar and the upper end of the nextpipe section includes an internally threaded reducer, theinterengagement of the collars and reducers serving as stops to limitrelative extensible movement between the pipe sections and when thecollars and reducers are actually threadedly engaged the pipe sectionsare fixedly attached to each other, an operation required to erect theladder when it is to be used for ascent purposes.

Another object is to provide an extensible ladder of the characterdescribed including rung members slidably mounted on the pipe sectionsand including means to adjustably fix the position of the rungs alongthe length of the ladder, the rungs also serving as stops to limit thecollapsible length of the ladder when they are fixed in place and abutthe reducer at the top of the next lower pipe section.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an extensible ladderwhich can function not only as an emergency escape ladder but also fornormal use when erected and positioned against the wall of a building ora tree, a bridge over impassable ground water, a flagpole, a light poleand an antenna. It can also serve as means to descend through a narrowmanhole when each half rung is removed and since the ladder is made ofpipe sections, a water hose can be attached to he bottom section toestablish a water line or tower.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent asthe following description proceeds in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the ladder shown in its collapsedposition;

FIG. 2 is a broken away elevation of the ladder shown in its extendedposition;

FIG. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 1;

3,485,322 Patented Dec. 23, 1969 FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentaryelevational view of the upper end of the ladder; and

FIG. 5 is a group discerpted view, parts shown in section, of severalfeatures of the invention, namely the adjustable rungs and the means toremovably fix the lower end of one section to the upper end of the nextlower section.

Specific reference is now made to the drawings in which similarreference characters are used for corresponding elements throughout.

The ladder is generally indicated at 8 and comprises a plurality of pipesections such as upper section 10, intermediate section 12 and lowersection 14. The upper section is of lesser diameter than theintermediate section and the latter is of lesser diameter than the lowersection so that the sections interfit slidably and when collapsedapproximate the length of the lower section 14 as seen in FIG. 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the upper pipe section slides into theintermediate section 12. The lower end of section 10 has threadedlyaffixed thereon as at 18 a collar 20 whose upper end includes anexternally threaded portion 22. Threadedly afiixed to the upper end ofthe pipe section 12 as at 24 is a reducer 26 whose upper end includes aninternally threaded reduced portion 28 of diameter approximating that ofthe threaded portion 22. Thus when the pipe sections 10 and 12 are fullyextended, the free edge or shoulder 30 of the collar 20 engages thereduced shoulder portion 32 of the reducer 26 to serve as a stop; andwhen the external threads 22 are made to engage the internal threads 28,as by relative rotation of the sections, the sections will then befixedly attached to each other at full length.

Since there is an additional lower pipe section 14, the lower end of theintermediate section 12 carries a collar similar to collar 20 and thereducer 34 at the upper end of lower section 12 is similar to reducer 26and functions in the same manner.

At the upper end of upper pipe section 10 is atiixed a hook member 36which is shown in greater detail in FIG. 4. While any hook member may beused, the preferred one consists of a T coupling 38 which is threadedupon the upper end of the upper pipe section 10. Another T coupling 40is fixed on the pipe section 10 beneath coupling 38. Threaded into andextending laterally from the two couplings are a pair of pipe members 42and 44 upon the ends of which is secured a vertical member 46 which withthe members 42 and 44 form a hook, the portion 48 of the vertical member46 below the member 44 serving as a hand grip for a purpose soon toappear.

Threaded through the opposed faces of the second T coupling 40 which areat right angles to the face into which the member 44 is threaded arepipe sections 50 and 52 which carry hand knobs 54 at their ends. Themembers 50, 52 and 54 constitute a rung member which is fixed to theupper end of the pipe section 10.

Several additional rung members 56, 58, and 62 are slidably associatedwith each of the pipe sections 10, 12 and 14. Since each rung member issubstantially identical, a single description will suflice withreference to FIG. 5. A coupling 64 is provided having a through verticalbore 66 of diameter slightly larger than the pipe section which itreceives. The coupling also contains opposed radially extending taperedbores 68 and 70, the end portions of which are internally threaded asat.72. Each lung is a pipe section 74 upon the end of which is secured ahand knob 76. A pin or plug is provided having a shank 78 and shoulderor head 80, the shank extending into the member 74 whose free end isexternally threaded as at 82 and whose edge abuts the shoulder 80. Thuswhen the threaded end 82 engages the threaded portion 72 of 3 thecoupling, the rungs are held in place as are the pins, but the unit isslidable on the pipe section. When the rung 74 is tightened or screwedhome the shoulder 80 of the pin frictionally engages the pipe sectionand holds the rung in place.

Threaded on the lower end of the lower pipe section 14 is another Tcoupling 84 and threaded into the ends thereof which are perpendicularto the end receiving the pipe section 14 are rungs 86 carryingground-engaging hand knobs 88 at their ends. Above the coupling 84 isanother coupling 90 which is slidable on the pipe section 14 and whichcarries rungs 92 that can be tightened in the manner previously setforth with reference to FIG. 5 to adjustably fix the rungs in place onthe pipe section. This rung member differs from those slidable unitspreviously described only in that ground-engaging feet 94 are fixed tothe ends of the rungs 92.

When using the ladder as an escape unit, it can be retained in anysuitable manner in a room in collapsed condition as shown in FIG. 1.When a fire or other emergency occurs, one grasps the pipe section 14with one hand and the hand grip 48 with the other and hurls the unit outof the window while retaining his grasp on the grip. Since the unit canbe made of light weight material, such as aluminum, it can be readilyhandled. By gravity, the pipe sections extend until the rung units 86and 92 reach the ground, that is the feet 94 and knobs 88 engage theground as seen in FIG. 1. Then the hook member 42, 44, 46 is hooked overthe sill and the person scales down the pipe sections grasping the upperfixed run unit 50, 52 to initiate the descent. In this operation sinceall rung units but the upper and lower ones are slidable, in the finalextended position, the rung units 56 and 58 will rest against thereducer 26 and the rung units 60 and 62 will rest against the reducer34. Even if the lower end of the ladder doesnt actually engage theground, the ladder can be hooked onto the sill and one can descend itand then jump oflf the lower end of the ladder.

To use the ladder for ascent purposes, one can extend it on the ground,cause engagement of the collars and the reducers 26 and thus fixedlyattach one pipe section to the next. The rung units including unit 90,92 can be spaced along the pipe sections and tightened. Then the ladderis ready to be placed against a building, tree, etc. and ascended. Toassist in lifting the erected ladder, one can grasp the rungs 86 of thelowermost unit. If one wanted to use a lesser overall length of pipe hecould fix a rung unit in place and when it engaged the reducer of thenext lower pipe section, it would serve as a stop.

If one wanted to descend through a manhole of narrow diameter, he couldremove all of the rungs on one side only. If he wished to supply waterto rooms which were enveloped in flames or smoke he could attach a waterhose to the lower pipe section.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been here shown anddescribed, it will be understood that skilled artisans may make minorvariations without departing from the spirit of the invention and thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An extensible ladder comprising telescoping pipe sections, a hookmember fixed to the upper end of the upper pipe section, a unit fixed tothe upper pipe section beneath the hook member including diametricallyextending rungs, rung units slidably mounted on the pipe sections, meansto fix the rung units adjustably along the length of the pipesectionsand means to removably couple the ipe sections together in theirextended positions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes acollar fixed upon the lower end of one pipe section and having anexternally threaded portion. a reducer fixed upon the upper end of thenext lower wider pipe section and including an internally threadedportion adapted to engage the externally threaded portion of the collar.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said hook member includes at leastone member coupled to the upper end of the upper pipe section andextending laterally therefrom and a vertical member carried by andadjacent the free end of the lateralmember.

4. An extensible ladder comprising telescoping pipe sections, a hookmember fixed to the upper end of the upper pipe section, a unit fixed tothe upper pipe section beneath the hook member including diametricallyextending rungs, rung units slidably mounted on the pipe sections, meansto fix the rung units adjustably along the length of the pipe sections,each rung unit including a couple with a vertical bore slidablyreceiving the pipe section and rungs threaded into diametrically opposedopenings in the couple so that when the rungs are screwed home theirinner ends will grip the pipe section and a plug extending into eachrung having a shoulder adapted to grip the pipe section when the innerend of the rung presses against the shoulder as it is screwed home.

5. An extensible ladder comprising telescoping pipe Sections, a hookmember fixed to the upper end of the upper pipe section, a unit fixed tothe upper pipe section beneath the hook member including diametricallyextending rungs, rung units slidably mounted on the pipe sections andmeans to fix the rung units adjustably along the length of the pipesections, the lowermost slidable rung unit on the lower pipe sectionbeing fixed thereto adjacent its lower end and including feet adapted toengage the ground and a rung unit fixed to the lower end of the lowerpipe sectionbeneath the lowermost slidable rung unit and includingground-engaging end portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 144,690 11/1873 Miller 182-52188,234 3/1877 Copeland 182-52 2,658,702 11/1953 Osborne 1821893,026,962 3/1962 Kramer 182-189 3,134,567 5/1964 Shoemaker 182-150REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 18252

